Tripura Pushes Oil Palm Expansion to Boost Farm Income

Agartala: Tripura is moving fast on oil palm. The state government set a target to cover 6,000 hectares with the crop for the 2026-27 financial year. Officials have already planted 4,700 hectares. They expect to finish the remaining 1,300 hectares by March 2027. P.B. Jamatia, Director of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Horticulture, confirmed the timeline.

The state currently supports more than 10,000 oil palm growers. Officials are targeting hilly regions for growth. They believe these areas offer better economic returns for farmers. The government provides free saplings through private nurseries. Furthermore, the Centre provides financial assistance for four years to help farmers start. Jamatia noted, "Farmers could grow other crops alongside oil palm, unlike in rubber plantations, allowing them to generate additional income."

Oil palm stays productive for 30 years. Plants take four years to mature. The Centre now guarantees a price for seeds to protect farmers. The state plans to scale up to 10,000 hectares by 2027-28. Two processing factories will anchor this expansion. Construction is underway at Nalkata in North Tripura and Belbari in West Tripura. Both facilities should run by December 2027.